Saturday, May 31, 2008

We all have the Sex

Well, last night was the moment we've all been waiting for: the opening of the Sex and the City movie. The Husband went out at lunch to buy tickets--for the 9:10 show. Good thing, too, because it was completely sold out. Pretty raucous (and heavily female) crowd. It was like a bachelorette party with a movie screen (complete with sneaked-in champagne and a 911 call at the end of the night).

Anyway, I'm not going to spoil the plot, but I will say a few things. First, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the ending. Second, it's not a cinematic masterpiece, but it definitely stays true to the series. The girls all look fabulous. Big is Big. Harry looks the same. Steve is still cute (less baby-faced and more distinguished). There are no sightings of Aidan or Aleksandr Petrovsky. (Aside: I recently saw a Movado ad in a magazine featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov, and clued in--I had never realized he was the one who played Petrovsky! I remember Baryshnikov in the 70's when he was still cute.) Speaking of folks to whom time has not been good: the actor who plays Smith. Yikes! Maybe that's why Samantha develops a new "lust interest" in the film (okay, 'nuff said about the plot).

After the movie, I just HAD to have a cosmo, so we stopped by the club. It was DEAD. Everyone must be out of town this weekend. That experience, as much as eating at the Cheesecake Factory last weekend, made me pine for urban living again.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Million for Marriage

Dear Friends,

Do you want to live in a country that legalizes discrimination? Despite the recent California Supreme Court decision that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional, efforts are underway throughout the country to take away rights from same-sex couples.

I just joined thousands of others in showing my support for marriage equality for all. But recently, proponents of bigotry and hate collected even more signatures in an attempt to invalidate the California Supreme Court decision. And they won't stop with California—extremists are even trying to add a same-sex marriage ban to the U.S. Constitution.

We are at a turning point in our nation's history and I'm hoping you'll join me in standing up against discrimination. Please sign the Million for Marriage petition and get us one name closer to showing that Americans overwhelmingly support marriage equality!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

L-Yay

Okay, obviously the stress of being an "executive" is rendering me much more appreciative of time off. Just as our March trip to Vegas was far and away the most fun I've ever had in Sin City, Memorial Weekend in the City of Angels was great. We got to see stuff we hadn't seen before: Hollywood & Highland, Universal Studios, the Museum of Tolerance, The Grove. And we did something we'd never done: ride public transit in L.A. We did both the subway and the bus, and it was fine. I can see why Metro won the award for best transit system in the U.S. The no-transfer thing was a little trying, though.

Anyway, speaking of buses, the MegaBus ride from SF down to LA was fine, too. I got to read a book this weekend! You have no idea what a feat that is.

Our other big enjoyment, sick as it sounds, was being back in a place with chain restaurants. Yes, I'm all for supporting our local economy and eating locally produced organic food and all that stuff. But the great thing about America is that you can go get crappy, mass-produced stuff any time you want. Except where we live, that takes a four-hour drive (with gas that's now at $4.35/gal.). So we took full advantage: breakfast at Johnny Rockets, lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, dinner at Buca di Beppo, lunch next day at Cheesecake Factory, dinner at Red Lobster. We didn't get to go to Macy's, but we did drop $50 in H&M and we went to two different Abercrombie & Fitch locations. I really do miss the soul-crushing conformity of American consumerism... sometimes.

The other great thing about metropolitan California besides the opportunity for conformity is the opportunity for diversity. We ate breakfast on Sunday at a Filipino cafe in a strip mall on Santa Monica Blvd. I have no idea what I ate. It was noodles with egg and carrot and supposedly pork. Anyway, it was good. I also appreciated the billboard for Nongjim noodle bowls--in Spanish!

Coming home has certain advantages, too, though. The cat is more affectionate than normal, the rhododendron in the backyard is in full bloom now, and our bed is infinitely more comfortable than the one at the Travelodge.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

I feel obligated to say something

As half of a long-term homo couple in the Golden State, I guess I'm obliged to blog about the CA Supreme Court's recent ruling on gay marriage. I'm happy, of course, but in a way I'm almost pissed off that it's such a big deal. IMHO, this should have been a complete no-brainer decision, the vote shouldn't have been close, the ruling should have occurred 20 years ago, and we shouldn't have to contend with a frickin' vote to amend the state constitution to undo the ruling. Still, it is nice to see some forward progress after all the meetings and marches.

All your questions except one, that is. And the answer to that one is: "Yes, we plan to go get the piece of paper from the County Clerk. We are still trying to decide when. It would sure be nice not to have ANOTHER anniversary to remember."

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Flowers for Mother's Day

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Ooh, forgot to mention

Well, the American Idol voters definitely picked the right top three. Although I can envision a market segment for Jason Castro, I was happy to see him go. This week the finalists visit their hometowns, and David Cook is from Stan's hometown in Missouri. So, we'll be looking forward to next Tuesday. Plus maybe the dollar store will have more cheese corn (they were out again this week!).

Oh, and tonight Oprah was at Caesar's Palace with Cher. Seventeen costume changes in Cher's new show, with all the gowns designed by Bob Mackie. We are debating whether we want to shell out $100/ticket for second balcony to see her when we are there in August.

Travelin' Men

Well, the PLAN was to limit ourselves to one trip per month for 2008. Maybe that way we'd save a little money, combat global warming, etc. But our April trip (to Tahoe) got cancelled, so we haven't been anywhere (other than a trip across the Oregon border for cheap groceries) since we got home from Vegas. Therefore, we are taking TWO trips in June. We are headed to Portland for The Husband's birthday (the big double-nickel). Then we are going to turn around the very next weekend and go to San Fran for a friend's son's bar mitzvah. We haven't been to the City in what seems like forever, as we stuck to the East Bay and South Bay when flying to Vegas. We'll be down there over Memorial--but only to park the car and head for L.A.--so it's nice to have an excuse to visit. (Plus, I found a good deal on a room at one of the Kimpton hotels that we've been wanting to try. I should have used Hilton points, I know, but I'm trying to figure out a way to save those for our trip to Copenhagen next summer.)

Due to the budget situation at work, I may have to cut my schedule. I'm hoping to have one Friday off each pay period. That would be great; I've worked out a schedule that coincides with a bunch of planned travel over the next year, and on the weeks we're here I could actually get stuff done around the house!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

May Day

I cannot believe we are already into the fifth month of 2008! It all seems to be flying by, and I have so much stuff left to do before we leave for Memorial weekend in L.A.

We've flown through L.A. several times, but I think this will be our first trip TO L.A. in almost four years. We're planning to go to Universal Studios and the Museum of Tolerance, two things we've never done. Should be fun; friends are meeting us there.

I also booked our return trip to Vegas. For the middle of August. Yeah, I know, it's going to be a bazillion degrees. At night. Hotter during the day. But we survived August in Tucson last year.

I've got to get a job where I can take vacation during April or May. Not too hot, not too cold.